Dorothea Benton Frank

Dorothea Benton Frank (1958-2019) was an American novelist known for her Southern-themed fiction. Born in South Carolina, she worked as a historical researcher and legal secretary before turning to writing full-time. Frank's novels, set primarily on Sullivan's Island near Charleston, often explored themes of family, love, and loss. Her debut, "Sullivan's Island" (1999), was a critical and commercial success, spending 23 weeks on the New York Times Bestseller List. Over the course of her career, Frank published 31 novels, including "Lowcountry Summer" (2004) and "The Last Garden" (2018). Frank's works have been praised for their strong characters, evocative settings, and heartwarming stories. She received numerous awards, including the South Carolina Book Award and the Pat Conroy Southern Book Prize. Her novels have been lauded for their authenticity and their ability to capture the essence of Southern culture.